Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Frankfurt, Germany - To begin with this morning, he met with a diverse group of Chinese, Mongols and Uyghurs —scholars, students and business-people, telling them that Tibetans were willing to remain with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). He also mentioned that when he first met Uyghur leader Rebiya Kadeer she spoke of using violence to achieve independence, but he persuaded her to pursue the path of non-violence instead. In due course she also adopted autonomy as her goal.

His Holiness was asked about the declining situation of human rights in China, exemplified in the death of Liu Xiaobo. He answered that he had heard that Xi Jinping had been taken aback by the strength of opposition to reform among the old guard in the Party. He mentioned the hope that during the forthcoming Party congress, when many elderly members of the Politburo will retire, they will be replaced by new faces. Opportunities for change may then occur. He noted that many educated Chinese support the Middle Way Approach, adding that governments come and go, but the people remain. He remarked that Chinese-Tibetan relations are more than 2000 years old, whereas the Chinese Communist Party has existed for less than a century.

Asked how progress can be made, His Holiness suggested that just as he has engaged in fruitful dialogue with scientists for more than 30 years, it’s important that Chinese and Tibetans in exile, students in particular, get to know each other better. These days, as fewer people in the world talk about human rights in Tibet and Xinjiang, it would be helpful to revive the association of Tibetans, Mongols and Uyghurs, focussing on rights and the preservation of cultural identity. His Holiness approved of a suggestion to erect statues of Liu Xiaobo to prevent memory of him being erased, proposing that Chinatown in New York would be a worthwhile location.

A drive through steady rain brought His Holiness to the Jahrhunderthalle, the Century Hall. 1600 students from 60 schools in and around the state of Hesse had gathered there to listen to his conversation with 10 of their number who would put their questions to him.

“Brothers and sisters,” he began, “I’m extremely happy to have this opportunity to talk you young students. I believe all 7 billion of us are the same as human beings. Many of the problems we face are of our own making. Why? Because we continue to think in terms of my people, my nation, my religion, focussing on the secondary differences between us.

“We can’t change the past, but we’re still able to shape the future. Since I was born in 1935 I’ve been witness to continuing violence and war. We are sitting peacefully and amicably together here, but elsewhere on this planet other human beings are suffering—being killed and dying of starvation. Can we remain indifferent? We need to remember the oneness of humanity and that we are all brothers and sisters. Those of you who belong to the 21st century have a responsibility to create a more peaceful world. If you start now and make an effort you may see such change in your lifetimes, although I won’t live to see it. The peace of mind that will be its foundation will require a combination of warm-heartedness and intelligence.”

Asked how to proceed, His Holiness stressed the need to improve education. He said that where in the past the church took care of inculcating human values, religious influence has declined. Now there’s a need for far-sighted vision and enthusiasm to incorporate ethical principles into mainstream education.

Questioned about the refugee problems in Europe, His Holiness clarified that most of them have fled their own countries because of unrest there. He compared contemporary refugees to Tibetans who have always expected ultimately to return to Tibet. Refugees today, he said, should be given shelter and provided with education and training for the young so that when peace is restored in their homelands they can return to rebuild them.

His Holiness highlighted a change in attitudes between the early 20th century, when everyone proudly joined up when war was declared, to the opposition to war, violence and nuclear weapons at the end. The manifest desire for peace is encouraging, he said, noting that the Berlin wall fell not as a result of the use of force, but due to popular will. He expressed his admiration for the spirit of the European Union, which has countered a sense of ‘them’ and ‘us’, the source of division.

“Our basic human nature is warm-hearted,” His Holiness asserted. “Without it we can’t survive. But we must also use our intelligence, asking ourselves, for example if anger is of any use. The answer is that it destroys our peace of mind. Women are prone to use make up to enhance their prettiness, but if their expressions are angry, no one will want to look at them.”

In the context of learning from experience, His Holiness described three steps to developing clearer understanding. The first is to read about or listen to what others say. The next is to think about it until it is clear in your mind and the third is to become so thoroughly familiar with this conviction that it becomes part of your experience.

Challenged to say whether freedom or security was more important, His Holiness replied:

“Freedom—because of our natural ingenuity. We have great potential for creativity which requires freedom if we are to avoid stagnation. Security is sometimes cited as protecting that creativity, but it should not be in terms of restraining our thinking. Totalitarian systems typically link security to restrictions.”

His Holiness told another student that human beings’ highest goal is the achievement of happiness.

Regarding social media he said that it’s important not to become a slave to such opportunities or the technology that supports them, but to employ them with intelligence, seeking not to be manipulated by them. He ended the meeting by recommending that the students think about what they had heard. If they approved of it and valued it, he said, they should try to implement it in their lives and share what they had understood with others. He added, nevertheless, that if it meant nothing to them, they were welcome to forget it.

Addressing almost 3000 people after lunch, His Holiness again stressed the need to overcome a tendency to dwell on secondary differences and realize that we are fundamentally the same in being human. He stressed the importance of creating a happier, more peaceful world, of acknowledging the oneness of humanity. He pointed out that when we go to hospital, no one asks where we are from or what we believe. We are received as patients in need of treatment.

“Similarly, if, lost in the wilderness, we finally see someone else in the distance, our first thought will not be to ask where they are from or to what race or religion they belong to, but relief at encountering another human being.”

His Holiness repeated his admiration for the spirit of the European Union and the sense of good neighbourliness it entails. He looked forward to such a union evolving in Africa, Latin America and Asia. He suggested that the mutual respect involved naturally leads to trust and more friendly relations, whereas suspicion leads to trouble. He reiterated that seeing others in terms of ‘them’ and ‘us’ only results in further division. Therefore, cultivating a sense of the oneness of humanity is crucial for peace in the wider world.

Among questions from the audience, His Holiness was asked how to deal with fear. He answered that some fear, such as fear of a mad dog, is valuable and well-founded. However, there is also fear rooted in thinking too much about ourselves. When that arises, he suggested, it could be fun to ask yourself where or what is the ‘I’ you are so worried about.

His Holiness’s answer to why people are so greedy was that they lack basic moral principles and a respect for the rights of others. They fail to understand that real happiness is related to the mind rather than to physical satisfaction.

When a member of the audience asked him to pray for her after coming through great difficulties, he told her he would, adding that his daily prayer is:

For as long as space endures

And for as long as living beings remain,

Until then may I too abide

To dispel the misery of the world.

Finally, to end a long day, His Holiness spoke to 1500 Tibetans from various parts of Northern Europe. He praised their continuing sense of being Tibetan wherever they live now and thanked them for the loyalty and unwavering faith. He reaffirmed that it is the continuing determination of Tibetans in Tibet that enables those is exile to also keep their spirits up.

He reviewed what has been achieved in exile in terms of keeping Tibetan Buddhist culture, the Nalanda Tradition, alive by extending opportunities for rigorous study. He stressed that only Tibetans maintain an approach to the Buddha’s teachings based on scepticism, logic and reason. Besides that he asserted that the Tibetan language is the medium through which the Buddha’s teachings can be most accurately expressed. In addition, the detailed explanations of the workings of the mind and emotions found in Buddhist literature are of crucial relevance today. This, he declared, is something to be proud of.

His Holiness recounted an occasion earlier this year flying from Guwahati to Dibrugarh in a small plane during a storm when the turbulence made him fear for his life. Telling them his main concern was for what the six million Tibetans who have vested their hopes in him would do if he were to meet with an accident, the audience applauded. He assured them that his health is good and that he may live another 15-20 years, during which time there could be positive change for Tibet. Before waving goodbye, he urged them to be happy and at ease.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

I sure hope everyone is having a fabulous Sunday so far and had a awesome weekend. It is still so freaking hot as all get out here in Florida. I hope y'all are enjoying all the blogs here. We have great bloggers with knowledge and very interesting things to share with you as well. Check out the old forums and discussions on who was exposed and other information if you ever have a chance. You would enjoy spending some time researching for yourself. Even older blogs. You never know which ones you have missed. It's always new to someone.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WORLD????

I have some serious issues to discuss. Firstly, on Halloween, don't be creeping around these cemeteries and abandoned buildings. It's only asking for trouble. Please learn from my stupid mistakes I made as a teenager. As I've said many times that these demonic creatures don't always come out on command but they never forget you and will be back just when you think things couldn't any worse in your life. They are sneaky that way. But what do I know?? It's not like I've ever encountered a demon. NOT! (sarcasm) Please be careful. It's hard to get help with these issues from someone legit. Once that door is open it's highly dangerous and difficult to close that door. You'll regret it.

We live in such a dark world and it ticks me off knowing our own government is part of a four decade or longer pedophile ring. Hillary Clinton has been caught committing treason. Now why won't she ever do a day in jail? It's so upsetting and wrong. Abuse of power. We outnumber them so what are they going to do if the American people decide to form a alliance against these vile pedophiles? I'm serious, this is a very real threat to our children.

We all know what a tragedy the Las Vegas shooting was. Families will forever remember how they lost the ones they love. It's scary to me because a lot of what I see and witness is this world slowly becoming darker and darker. Too much attention on occult and dark rituals. The directions are on YouTube. As I said last week, you can find many videos teaching dark magic. This is what happens in the end times. I'm not saying it's here because no one knows. But there are sure a lot of signs we are heading that way. Out of all sixty six books in the Bible, Revelations can be very complicated.

Some feel this event was manipulated to happen so it takes the attention off our corrupt government. It's an outrageous claim but apparently true according to the FBI. Now this shooting is very shady and multiple people knew or were involved. Only time will tell. These families need some kind of closure to this tragedy. Why does so much not make it on TV (mainstream media) like a pedophile ring in another country was brought down. Americans were involved too but after many years they finally did it. Now it's time the USA do the same thing! Protect our children God.

Darkness can't hide from the light of Christ for very long. Look at Hollywood. Finally, Harvey Weinstein owner of Mirimax films has had many, many allegations from underaged girls using his power in Hollywood to get women to do things for him. My God, they have it on tape. Major celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow have come forward. He's buddy buddy with our government pedophiles! Yup...they are everywhere. It's disgusting. And he's still free as a bird. He gave a 14-year- old girl some kind drug to dope her up so he could have his way with her. Everyone in Hollywood has covered for him and still are. Many more celebs came forward about his actions like Angelina Jolie. Yet he's still free and spreading his fear to others who can help put him away.

Actor Corey Feldman came forward telling us how rampant pedophilia was when he was a kid doing the movies Goonies, The Lost Boys etc.with the late Corey Haim. They were both molested. And when they spoke of it on their reality show it was pulled off air and Corey Haim ended up dead. They didn't name names. Corey Feldman has said many times, "the trouble in Hollywood is and was and will always be pedophilia. I was surrounded by them, literally." He can't name his molester who he says "is a huge Hollywood mogul probably watching this interview now." He'll be killed and he knows it. He was arrested before his concert for marijuana. Come on! It's almost legal in all states. They want to shut him up. Research for yourself. It's there.

It's almost Halloween, so it's that time of year to be very careful what you get into. Stay out of cemeteries with a ouija board/spirit board. I promise you it will not be good. I took a dare once here to sit in the 'Devils Chair" in Cassadaga, Florida. This place is known for psychics and witches who mainly live in this very small out of the way area. It's a beautiful small town. Very small. The cemetery had what the legend called the Devil's Chair. If you sit in it at midnight he will show. I sat on the large brick structure and he didn't show.....but later I became very regretful due to the activity I stirred up. Growing up with a Pentecostal minister as a father, he was very upset when he learned of what I'd done. I was 16. It's still a hot spot on Halloween.

There use to be a abandoned mental hospital in Pine Hills, Florida called Sunnyland. Everyone wanted to check it out despite the rumors of an angry demon, an inhuman spirit. Yup, I went in like a stupid idiot! Now it's torn down but one big building still stands. It can be entered but the cops patrol that place as it's a park now. There is one in Jacksonville Florida but I think it's being torn down too. It was also called Sunnyland. But I'm sure people will still enter and end up with attachments. It pains me to say that. How parents could take their children to a place like that truly baffles me and makes me angry. Why would they risk themselves and their children for a cheap thrill that won't ever leave if it attaches and leaves with them?

It's about four hours from Orlando. I'll leave it at that for another blog. See what my curiosity caused? My dad warned me so many times and I didn't listen. I wish I had. But as we all go through different phases growing up in life I was in a 'know it all' stage. I felt invincible.. I wanted to know if this place was really what people have said over the years. That's what will get you every time. Curiosity.

This world is so dark. It's getting worse and worse each day. MSM (Main Stream Media) only airs what they want us to know. You'll never know what's really going on. People don't realize these people are also satanists in our government. It's why SRA is so rampant. (Satanic Ritual Abuse) It's disgusting and happens right under our noses. These people worship THE DEVIL! They don't believe they are their own living God. They do believe in God and Satan. But they will claim they don't.

And of course Orlando's finest ghost teams claim they can help people with this and they have 30 years of experience etc...Not true. They charge! I was contacted for help and when this family told me they were charged and was never told if anything was on audio or video I felt so horrible for them. I could hear the fear. Jesus Christ in Heaven help us all. See that's a lot of work so of course they only want to look cool and do the fun stuff. Right guys?? Charging, are you serious? And you can't bring yourself to sit long enough to watch video and listen to audio. It's a game to some people. Satan makes them his puppets.

Then there's that paranormal group that took advantage of a scared family with kids and have the nerve to charge and then not return calls other than one time stipulating 'Oh we'll contact you when evidence review over'. This family paid $250, that they couldn't even afford. Those groups are paranormal posers. Wasn't cool in early life so now they use this as a tool. Makes me sick. This family is now living in a hotel out of fear. I have news for you, that alone puts you on a demon's radar. Law of attraction. And when you are useful to them they will be back with 7 more friends. What that family went through was cruel. Thinking they were finally getting help.

Please turn to Jesus Christ. Ask Him into your heart. He is the only way to the Father. We have strength in his name to cast out demons. It's one of the last things Christ said after defeating death and ascending to heaven. He revealed himself to a certain amount of people. When they asked 'Jesus what shall thy do with the devil roaming about our land' and Christ said ' I leave you with the power of the Holy Spirit to cast out demons in thy name'. Amen glory to God! We can defeat the adversary with the words of Jesus and only in his name. Faith is all it takes.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

After arriving in Delhi yesterday afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove out of the city through dense traffic to Meerut in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh this morning. As he arrived at the CJ DAV Public School, children from a variety of schools lined the road to greet him and he was welcomed by the Principal and senior staff.

After a short rest, His Holiness was escorted to the stage where an enthusiastic crowd of more than 1500 faculty, students and members of their families applauded to show their appreciation of his presence. After the customary lighting of the lamp, Dr Alpana Sharma, the Principal of CJ DAV formally welcomed His Holiness to the school. Prof Avinash C Pandey, Director of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Allahabad, and former Vice Chancellor of Bundhelkhand University, Jhansi, introduced Ayurgyan Nyas of which he is a founder member.

Established in 2014 with His Holiness’s approval, Ayurgyan Nyas is endeavouring to introduce training in Universal Ethics into the modern Indian education system. The goal is to develop a curriculum that will ensure students’ holistic development on the basis of innate human values.

Prof. Pandey explained,

“With this curriculum, we hope to bring about a positive transformation in the minds of children who are the future of the world.”

The curriculum was formally released by His Holiness and presented to Principals and representatives of 9 schools from Delhi, Ghaziabad, Jhansi, Kanpur, Meerut and Pilibhit who have made a commitment to teach it.

In his remarks, His Holiness explained why he felt there was a need for such a curriculum,

“Since I was born in 1935, I’ve witnessed great violence, including the Second World War. Historians estimate that more than 200 million people died as a result of war in the 20th century. Great suffering resulted from the misguided thought that the way to resolve problems was a resort to the use of force, based on seeing our human brothers and sisters in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’.

“This way of thinking began to change during the latter part of the 20th century as people developed a desire for peace. The indiscriminate suffering that is the result of war had helped open their minds. In this 21st century, at an individual, family and national level we need to understand that the use of force to settle disputes is out of date. We must make efforts to resolve our problems through dialogue conducted on the basis of mutual respect.”

His Holiness stressed his conviction that education is the key to changing people’s way of thinking.

“Modern education tends to be oriented towards material goals and the achievement of physical comfort. It encourages people to seek happiness only on a sensory level of consciousness. The mistake is not to pay more attention to our mental consciousness. Entire generations have been brought up with a materialistic outlook, in a materialistic culture and way of life. Although they want to live in peace, they don't know how to tackle their destructive emotions, which are its biggest obstacle.

“We need to improve the current education system by introducing instructions on ways to cultivate positive emotions like warm-heartedness. Relying on religious tradition won’t appeal to everyone. We need a more universal approach based on common experience, common sense and scientific findings”.

His Holiness drew attention to ancient Indian traditions that deal with concentration and insight, shamatha and vipashyana, that have accumulated profound understanding of the workings of the mind. This ancient knowledge remains relevant today because it can equip us to deal with our destructive emotions and bring about a transformation of the mind, whether we have any religious belief or not.

“This is a country that has the potential to combine ancient knowledge with modern education to achieve peace of mind.”

His Holiness expressed his appreciation of the efforts that are being made to ensure that this 21st century becomes an era of peace and happiness, contributing to the greater joy of all 7 billion human beings alive today.

In reply to a student’s question about whether he missed Tibet, His Holiness replied,

“I was born in Tibet so of course I miss my homeland, but today I consider myself a citizen of the world. In my life I have four commitments. The first is the promotion of basic human values; the second is to foster greater harmony among our religious traditions; the third is to contribute to the preservation of Tibet’s unique language and culture, as well as the protection of the natural environment of the Land of Snow—and the fourth is to encourage a revival of ancient Indian knowledge in this country”.

After enjoying lunch with a group of invited guests at the school, His Holiness returned to Delhi. Tomorrow, he will make his first visit to the north-eastern state of Manipur, where he will participate in an international conference on peace and harmony, organized by the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Hello everyone! I hope your having a wonderful Sunday. It's very hot here in Florida. I can't begin to explain how hot. I set AC on 73 and it ran all day. It was too hot to cool it down that low. But the other day our AC unit was shot. Done!.... needing replacement for $5,000 It's ridiculous. Every time you shower due to how sweaty and hot one gets inside with no air will just start sweating badly within minutes. I can't begin to tell you how miserable we are. We have to wait a few more days. It's 88degrees in the house. Yuck! I'm literally sick. Irma was bad enough. But I digress... (Lol)

Ephesians 6:12 New International Version (NIV)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

I'm sorry to keep regurgitating the same subject but I've been warning about certain things way before October arrived. There is so much evil and darkness in this world, it overwhelms me at times. I know the Spirit Cooking I brought up caused a bit of a stir. Google this. It happens I can promise you that.

Many networks using Halloween just as a excuse for TV to be extra disturbing all month with their shows that show people doing seances and using spirit boards/Ouija. Being obsessed with these kind of movies is unhealthy. The TV show Lucifer must have had great ratings as it's on season two. Slowly trying to condition people to accept certain things. Almost as if it's kind of normal. That's how the government would like it. We have satanists in our White House and pedophiles! Satanic Pedophilia--how do we have both?

I warned everyone about this show Lucifer before it started airing on TV. It's making evil seem cool and sexy. People don't realize the danger until it's too late. Having knowledge from the bible of demons is fine. We need to be aware just not obsessed with it. So many paranormal teams in Orlando are not what they claim. They are not properly educated in this. Creating so much more harm than good. I end up cleaning the mess or finding someone who can pending how far things have become out of control.

Many people have somewhat proved there were more than 1 shooter in the Las Vegas shooting according to FBI. Not that it makes it any better. Those victims families are going through hell. Ones that survived will never be the same. Some are receiving therapy. Having to bury family members and seeing these YouTube videos people had their phone filming this tragedy so people get how scary this was. Some think it was a set up to divert attention once again and a second shooter makes everything very suspect. Such a awful event. We must continue to pray for the victims families. They need some kind of peace and closure. I pray the truth comes to light if a lie exists.

As I've said already some people believe all these disasters take focus off what's going on in the evil White House so it shifts the attention to a major event or a hurricane. It's just so suspicious every time something is going to be leaked on the main TV news something major happens. I'm not saying it's paid crisis actors as some believe. I'm simply repeating what I'm seeing others report. I can't know for sure but what I do know for sure is every day it's getting darker and darker in this world. So many people email me wanting to know how to summon a demon. I'm still getting emails like that. It's curiosity. But that won't save you. Even accidentally letting something in, it's going to be a war dealing with it. It's NOT a joke. They DO NOT leave easily, either..

I spoke about Spirit Cooking in my last blog and it freaked some people out. But if you searched that subject you'll see how common this is. Also bathing in sacrificed blood, semen, breast milk and other disturbing things I can't say. It'a done because they believe it makes them young again. It's also a satanic ritual. It originates from satanism or devil worshipping from what I personally gather. But the good news is Jesus Christ is always with you even during battle.

This country is so divided which just makes hell and Satan so happy. Any discord, fighting, depression etc...will feed them energy. Like a moth to a flame. You are now on their radar. Spiritual Warfare is so very important and must be done daily. Come against anything negative in the name of Jesus Christ and that will make a huge impact on an inhuman entity. If we have the Armor Of God on daily we have nothing to worry about.

We need our Lord God more than ever. We really do. We need to turn to him and stay in his Word in these days of horror. But the government keep pushing him away, taking his name out of court. Some court rooms that used to say 'In God We Trust'. It will only get much worse. This world has changed, we have way too many people wanting to know about the occult. It's a fact. That in of itself is opening a door. It will attract something -- I can assure you. And possibly bring friends, seven more friends. This is no joke. I hate having to say these things but it's the truth. Hold your kids tight. Don't let them roam too far. This world has gone to pot to put it politely.

We need to be spiritually ready to go to battle. It's a very real battle taking place daily. Satan and his demons know their time is short so they are trying to get as many souls as possible. The music industry is getting dark. It's just not normal what is put on TV. Nothing but horror and demonic movies at the box office it seems. Not just this month but it's always like that. We need to be sober and pay attention to our surroundings. Don't always believe what you hear or see on TV. Do your own research to be sure. Don't let anger or resentment cause this country to stay divided. Other countries see this as such weakness.

May God have mercy on us all.. Give us peace and favor in this horrible world we are living in.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Some folks have dismissed the Old Testament laws prohibiting occultic activity simply because they sincerely, but wrongly, believe that the Old Testament has been abrogated (done away with) by the New Testament. So, with one fell swoop, they throw out the entire older testament, and continue to engage in ghost box activity, EVP’s etc. because they believe that those laws were not part of ‘giving of the NEW law” in the New Testament. However, as an aside, they overlook the New Testaments condemnation of the occult.

Showing that the Old Testament is still valid today is a comprehensive task beyond the scope of this blog, but I wish to focus on one incident in Jesus’ life that shows how HE viewed and used the Old Testament moral law. I say MORAL law because theologians often distinguish between the moral law, civil law, and ceremonial law. Again, it is beyond the scope of this discussion to address this, as I have in an earlier blog.

Are there some difficult passages? Yes, but common sense can usually cipher out the issues that folks raise like: what about where it condemns using two kinds of cloth? Common sense is not THE law of theology, but it certainly is useful!

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Briefly, there are two ‘take-aways’ from this text. First, the entire OT is normative and applicable for today (though not always literally, as we’ll see). Jesus could not have stated it more clearly: nothing in the OT will be abrogated or abolished by His ministry. Certain things like the ceremonial law regarding sacrificices find their fulfillment in Christ’s once for all atonement, and are thus not to be repeated by Christians. But as we read the OT law about sacrifices and feast days we learn more about the multi-faceted nature of the atonement. In other words, they are still normative and applicable in how they teach us about the Person and Work of Christ.

Second, those who do toss out the OT law can expect some ramifications (see v.19) That is sobering for those who hold to the view that the OT law is no longer binding on Christians.

One last word of introduction. It sometimes takes discernment and common sense to tell which commandments in OT are literally normative for today, and are not seen as typology, ect. Again, all the OT is normative/authoritative and applicable (in some way) for today, but it is the OT moral law that is LITERALLY normative for today. Some examples of this would be the Ten Commandments and Deuteronomy 18.

Most people are aware that, when Jesus was tempted by Satan, He quoted from the book of Deuteronomy—in particular Deut. 8:3; 6:16; and 6:13. If in the midst of the most savage spiritual warfare, God in human flesh appealed to the OT moral law as the “Sword of the Spirit’, then surely it shows how important,significant and normative it is for today’s believers! What Jesus later taught in the same chapter regarding the abiding authority of OT law (see above), He ‘practiced what he preached’ in the temptation narrative. “It is written…” and He then quoted a verse that hammered the devil head on.

However, what you may not be aware of is the deep and abiding significance of the Greek tense of the phrase: “It is written…” Gegreptai in the Greek, in all three quotes…gegreptai, gegreptai, gegreptai! Satan knew the enormous significance of this word (translated into three words in English).

So, with each temptation, Jesus says to Satan: “Gegreptai…” and then quotes from OT moral law—Deuteronomy. It is in the PERFECT tense. What does this mean?

The perfect tense in this context denotes permanence of normative authority. Generally, the Greek perfect tense denotes the present state resultant from past actions. It is a completed act with abiding results. In other words, it (texts quoted from Deuteronomy)was written in the past but it is still in force; it is still the Word of God!

Do you see the fantastic ramifications of this? The Holy Spirit could have chosen to use the aorist past tense, but in all three replies Jesus used the perfect tense to emphasize to Satan, and to us, that the Word of God is alive and Divine. He hammered home to the devil that what had been written about 1.500 years before had lost none of its original divine normative authority.

Yes, it is very instructive that Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy, but it is even more so when we realize the full significance of His prefatory words, “It is written…” He was telling the devil, and us, that the written words He was uttering had a permanently abiding authority to them.

Hence, the notion that we can jettison the moral law of the OT in general, and texts like Deuteronomy 18 in particular, regarding occultic sin, is especially wrong-headed in light of Jesus’ use of the perfect tense when referring to the up-to-the-second normative authority of the moral law in the same book, a few chapters earlier.

The words are to be taken at face value at speaking God’s abiding contempt for all occult tools and practices.

I add this as a short addition to the reasons for why all Old Testament laws regarding attempting to contact the dead must be taken as valid and normative for all people today—especially believers.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

The Buddha's Dharma, can be divided to two vehicles, the Hinayana and the Mahayana. The Hinayana itself can be divided into the vehicle of the shravakas and the vehicle of the pratyekabuddhas. The shravakas and pratyekabuddhas can be differentiated according to the relative inferiority and superiority of their faculties and the results they obtain, but the doctrinal features of the paths they follow are basically the same. People with the propensity to follow these two Hinayana vehicles take them up for the sake of their own emancipation as they feel the urgency to first free themselves as quickly as possible from the vicious cycle of existence. Since the main cause of bondage in samsara is grasping at a self, the main cause of obtaining the freedom of liberation is the wisdom that realizes the meaning selflessness. Thus, shravakas and pratyekabuddhas, like bodhisattvas, realize selflessness. They meditate on it accompanied by the other paths of moral conduct, meditative concentration and so forth, and thus extinguish all their passions, greed, hatred, ignorance and so forth.

Even though Hinayanists do not engage in their path intending to obtain Buddhahood, their path is in fact a means for ultimately leading such people to the stage of Buddhahood. Thus, do not misapprehend the Hinayana paths as being solely an obstacle to enlightenment, because the Saddharmapundarika sutra and other texts teach that they are methods for achieving Buddhahood. The Buddha appears in the world so that sentient beings may obtain the gnosis that he himself obtained. Thus, the Buddha's demonstrations of the path are strictly means to lead sentient beings to Buddhahood. Even though the Hinayana paths do not lead directly to Buddhahood, it is taught that followers of the Hinayana do in fact eventually enter the Mahayana and obtain Buddhahood.

Although followers of the Hinayana, like followers of the Mahayana, realize that phenomena are devoid of own-being, it is not the case that there is no difference at all between the Hinayana and the Mahayana. The doctrines of the Mahayana do not merely illuminate the selflessness of phenomena, they teach the bodhisattva stages, the perfections, the prayer to achieve perfect enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings, great compassion, and so forth. They also teach the dedication of merits to enlightenment, the two accumulations of merit and gnosis, and the inconceivable reality that is purified of all stains.

Thus, the Mahayana and Hinayana are not distinguished due to differences in their philosophical viewpoints, but they are differentiated according to their respective practice and non-practice of the entire range of skillful means. This is the assertion of Arya Nagarjuna and his disciple Aryadeva: A mother is the common cause of all her sons, and their fathers are the causes for distinguishing their races. Just so the mother, the perfection of wisdom, is the common cause of the sons, all four kinds of aryas: shravaka aryas, pratyekabuddha aryas, bodhisattava aryas, and buddha aryas. The cause for differentiating them into the particular Hinayana and Mahayana lineages is whether or not they have the methods of generating bodhichitta and so forth. The general Mahayana, like the Hinayana, can be subdivided into two vehicles: the Paramitayana and the Mantrayana. The common aim of the Mahayana is to train oneself in the six perfections by practising them out of a desire to obtain unexcelled enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. It is clear that one proceeds in the Mantrayana by this same path, because it is taught in the tantras. However, Mahayana practitioners who follow the paramitayana merely take up that much of the general body of the path, whereas followers of the Mantrayana cultivate the perfections by means of special tantric techniques that are not taught in the paramitayana.

The terms "Cause vehicle", "Paramitayana", and so forth are synonyms, and "Mantrayana", "Vajrayana", "Effect vehicle", and "Method vehicle" are synonyms as well. There is a difference between the cause vehicle and the effect vehicle: the cause vehicle is the Mahayana vehicle in which there is no meditation on oneself having a like aspect with any of the effects-the four complete purities-during the period of the path of training. The Mahayana vehicle in which there is meditation on oneself as having a like aspect with the four complete purities during the period of the path of training is called "The Effect vehicle" or "The Mantrayana". This is what the master Tsongkhapa said in the Ngag Rim Chenmo: "With regard to vehicle, since it is the vehicle of, i.e., conveys, the effect that is desired here and the cause that desires this, it is called 'vehicle'. The effect is the four complete purities of abode, body, property, and activities, a buddha's palace, body, wealth, and deeds. One meditates from the present on oneself as having a divine mansion, a divine entourage, divine ritual implements, and the divine deeds of purifying the cosmos and its inhabitants, just like a Buddha, Thus, it is the Effect Vehicle because one progresses through meditating in accordance with the vehicle of the effect."

Thus, the Mahayana as a whole is divided into the Paramitayana and the Mantrayana because these two have substantially different means for achieving a Buddha's Form Body that accomplishes the aims of others. In general, the Hinayana and the Mahayana are not distinguished according to any difference in their wisdom of emptiness, but must be distinguished due to differences in their methods, as mentioned above. In particular, although the Mahayana is divided into the Paramitayana and the Mantrayana, this is not due to any difference in their wisdom that realizes the profound emptiness; the two Mahayana systems must be distinguished from the point of view of differences in their methods. The main aspect of method in the Mahayana is the portion dealing with achievement of the Form Body, and the method that achieves the Form Body in the Mantrayana is just the deity yoga of meditating on oneself as having an aspect similar to that of a Form Body. This method is superior to the method employed in the Paramitayana.

With regard to the disciples of the Mantrayana, there are four types: inferior, middling, superior, and most excellent. The four classes of tantra were taught with these four types of disciples in mind. Since the disciples enter the Mantrayana through the four classes of tantra, the four classes are likened to "four doors." Should you wonder what the four are, they are Ritual Tantra, Conduct Tantra, Yoga Tantra, and Unexcelled Yoga Tantra. The Kalachakra, which will be described below, belongs to the Unexcelled Yoga Tantra class.

An Account of the Kalachakra, or Wheel of Time

The entire meaning of the subject matter of the Kalachakra tantra is included within the three Kalachakras, or Wheels of Time: The Outer Wheel of Time, the Inner Wheel of Time, and the Other Wheel of Time. The Outer Wheel of Time is the external world of the environment, and it is also called "The procession of the external solar and lunar days." The Inner Wheel of Time is the human body, that is an inner Jambudvipa, or earth-surface. Likewise, the inner channels, elements, and movements of the winds are set forth as the Inner Wheels of Time. The Other Wheel of Time is the initiations and paths of Shri Kalachakra, together with their results. It is "other" than the preceding two Wheels of Time. The guru ripens the disciple's psycho-physical continuum with the initiations, and the disciple meditates on the path that consists of the generation process and the completion process. In this way the yogi actualizes the resultthe buddha body that is the divine image of emptiness. This is the Other Wheel of Time.

The Buddha's teaching of the Kalachakra is described in the Paramadibuddha, the Kalachakra, Basic Tantra:

"As the teacher demonstrated the Dharma on Vulture Heap according to the Perfection of Wisdom system, he also taught the mantra system at Shri Dhanyakataka. What teacher taught what tantra, when and where was he dwelling? What was the place, who was the worldly entourage, and what was the purpose?

"He taught the unexcelled Mahayana, the system of the Perfection of Wisdom, to the bodhisattvas on Mount Vulture Heap. Then at the same time the Tathagata dwelt together with bodhisattvas and others in the great stupa, in the mandala of the sphere of phenomena. He dwelt in the house of universal vajra, in space, immaterial and very lucid, unpartitioned and radiant. He taught the tantra in the beautiful sphere of phenomena, for the merit and gnosis of human beings."

The Basic Tantra also says: "Then Vajrapani's emanation, King Suchandra from famous Shambhala, miraculously entered into the splendid sphere of phenomena. First he circumambulated to the right, then he worshipped the teacher's lotus feet with flowers made of jewels. Placing his hands together, Suchandra sat before the perfect Buddha. Suchandra requested the Buddha for the tantra, redacted it, and taught it too."

The Kalachakra was taught by our teacher, the Buddha Shakyamuni. He showed the way of actualizing highest perfect enlightenment underneath the bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya in India, at early dawn on the full moon of April/May. For one year he taught the general Paramitayana. In particular, at Mount Vulture Heap he turned the Dharma Wheel of the Perfection of Wisdom, the chief, ultimate Dharma Wheel of the Paramita system of the Mahayana.

On the full moon of March/April, the twelfth month counted from the time he obtained buddhahood, the Buddha was teaching the Paramitayana at Mount Vulture Heap. At the same time he manifested another form inside the great stupa of Shri Dhanyakataka, which is near Shri Parvata in south India where he taught the Mantrayana.

The great stupa was more than six leagues from top to bottom, and inside it the Buddha emitted two mandalas: below the mandala of Dharmadhatu Vagishvara, above the great mandala of the splendid asterisms. The Buddha was in the centre on the Vajra lion throne in the great Mandala of the Sphere of Vajra, the abode of great bliss. He was absorbed in the Kalachakra samadhi, and stood in the form of the Lord of the mandala.

The excellent entourage within the mandala consisted of a host of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, furies, gods, nagas, and goddesses. Outside the mandala the requestor was the emanated body of Vajrapani, King Suchandra of Shambhala. He had miraculously come to Shri Dhanyakataka from Shambhala, and he requested the Kalachakra for the entourage of listeners: the ninety-six emanated satraps of the ninety-six great lands within Shambhala, together with a limitless host of fortunate bodhisattvas, gods, demons, and others.

The Buddha gave the assembly the excellent Dharma-the worldly and transcendental initiations-and prophesied that they would obtain buddhahood, then he taught them the Paramadibuddha, the twelve thousand verse Kalachakra Basic Tantra. King Suchandra wrote it down in a volume and miraculously returned to Shambhala.

In Shambhala Suchandra composed a sixty thousand-line commentary of the Basic Tantra. He also erected a Kalachakra mandala made of precious substances. After he had appointed his son Sureshvara as King and teacher of the tantra, he passed away. Many great Kings appeared in the dynasty of Shambhala: Kalki Yashas, Kalki Pundarika, and others. They caused the profound Dharma of the Kalachakra to shine like the sun and the moon.

The Kalachakra continued to be transmitted through the succession of kalkis ("chieftains") of Shambhala, and eventually it was reintroduced into India. There are two main stories of how this came about, the story told by the Ra tradition and the story of the Dro tradition. (The Ra tradition and the Dro tradition will be discussed below).

According to the Ra tradition, the Kalachakra and related commentaries famed as the Bodhisattvas Corpus appeared in India during the simultaneous reigns of three kings. Taking Bodh Gaya as the center, the three kings were: Dehopala, the Master of Elephants, in the East; Jauganga, the Master of Men, in the South; and Kanauj, the Master of Horses, in the West. At that time the great pandit Cilu, who mastered all aspects of the Buddhadharma, was born in Orissa, one of the five countries of eastern India. Cilu studied all the Buddhist texts at the Ratnagiri Vihara, Vikramashila, and Nalanda. In particular, he studied at the Ratnagiri Vihara that was undamaged by the Turks.

Cilu realized that, in general, in order to achieve buddhahood in a single lifetime he would need the Mantrayana, and in particular, that he would need the clarifications of these doctrines contained in the Bodhisattva commentaries. Knowing that these teachings were extant in Shambhala, and depending on the instruction of his deity, he joined up with traders who sought jewels in the ocean. Having agreed with the traders, who were setting out across the sea, to meet up after six months, they went separate ways.

Cilu proceeded in stages and finally, upon climbing a mountain, he met a man. The man asked him, "Where are you going?" Cilu replied, "I am going to Shambhala in search of the Bodhisattva Corpus." The man said, "It is extremely difficult to go there, but if you can understand it, you could listen to it even here." Cilu realized that the man was an emanation of Manjushri. He prostrated, offered a mandala, and requested instruction. The man conferred all the initiations, tantra commentaries, and oral instructions on Cilu. He grasped Cilu, placed a flower on his head, and blessed him, saying, "Realize the entire Bodhisattva Corpus." Thus, like water poured from one vessel into another, Cilu realized the entire Bodhisattva Corpus. He went back the way he had come and, meeting with the traders, he returned to Eastern India.

According to the Dro tradition, the Kalachakra was reintroduced into India by the master Kalachakrapada. A couple who practised the Yoga of Yamantaka performed the ritual for the birth of a son as it is taught in the Yamantaka Tantra, and had a son. When he grew up he learned that in the north the bodhisattvas themselves taught the Dharma, so he went to listen to them. With his psychic power the Kalki of Shambhala knew of the youth's pure motivation and enthusiasm for the profound Dharma. He knew that if the youth attempted to come to Shambhala it would endanger his life because of the waterless wasteland that takes four months to cross. Thus, the Kalki used an emanation body to meet the youth at the edge of the desert.

The Kalki asked the youth, "Where are you going, and why?" when the youth told him his intentions the Kalki said, "That road is very difficult. But if you can understand these things, couldn't you listen to them even here?" The youth realized that this was an emanation of the Kalki and asked him for instruction. Right there the Kalki initiated the youth, and for four months he taught him all the highest tantras especially the three Bodhisattva Corpus commentaries. Like a vase filled to the brim, the youth realized and memorized all the tantras. When he returned to India he became renowned as an emanation of Manjushri, and his name was "Kalachakrapada".

The Ra and Dro traditions say that the Kalachakra was introduced into India by Cilu and Kalachakrapada. The Kalachakra continued to be studied and practised in India, and it was eventually introduced into Tibet. Again, the Ra and Dro traditions are the two main lineages through which this occurred.

The Dro tradition started from the visit of the Kashmiri Pandit Somanatha to Tibet. Somanatha first arrived in Tibet at Kharag and stayed among the Ryo clan. For a fee of one hundred measures of gold Somanatha translated half of the great Kalachakra commentary, the Vimalaprabha, into Tibetan, but in the meantime he became displeased and stopped his work. He took the gold and his draft translation and went to Phan Yul drub. There Chung Wa of the Zhang clan took Somanatha as his guru, and Shayrabdrak of the Dro clan acted as translator. Somanatha and Shayrabdrak translated the entire Vimalaprabha.

The Dro tradition continued on to Lama ChöKu Özer. This lama mastered all of the teachings of the Dro clan, including the Kalachakra. His disciple was Lama Galo, who mastered both the Dro tradition and the Ra tradition and passed them on in a single combined lineage.

The Ra tradition started with Chorab of the Ra clan, the nephew of the famous translator Ra Dorjedrak who was born in Nyen Ma Mang Yul. Ra Chorab memorized and understood all the doctrines of the Ra clan. Then he wished to learn the Kalachakra, so he went to the centre of Nepal where he continuously served the Pandit Samantashri for five years, ten months, and five days. Samantashri explained all the Kalachakra texts and gave Chorab the initiations and oral instructions. Then Chorab invited Samantashri to Tibet where they carefully translated the Kalachakra tantra and its commentary, together with the auxiliary texts.

The Ra tradition continued through Ra Chorab's son and grandson, and it eventually came to Lama Galo, as mentioned before. Lama Galo passed on both the Dro and the Ra traditions, and his lineage continued through such masters as Buton Rinchendrub and Tsongkhapa. The study and practice of the Kalachakra based on the Ra and Dro traditions exists even today.

Practice of the Kalachakra tantra, like all Buddhist tantric systems, is based on first receiving the proper initiations. For the initiations to be properly given and received it is necessary that both the guru and the disciple have certain qualifications. The qualifications of the Mantrayana guru are described by Losang Chökyi Gyaltsen as follows: "He should have control over his body, speech, and mind. He should be very intelligent, patient, and undeceitful. He should know the mantras and tantras, understand reality, and be competent in composing and explaining texts". We are very fortunate that such gurus can be found even now.

The disciple should have experience of the three principal aspects of the Mahayana path: renunciation of samsara, bodhichitta, and understanding of emptiness. If the disciple has not actually experienced these, he or she should at least have intellectual familiarity with them and admiration for them.

The most important of the three aspects is bodhichitta, the primary motivation for taking the initiations. Lord Maitreya defined bodhichitta in his Abhisamayalankara: "Bodhichitta is the desire for true, perfect enlightenment for the sake of others". When applied to the specific circumstance of taking the Kalachakra initiations, the disciple should generate bodhichitta in the following manner: "For the sake of all sentient beings I must achieve the state of Shri Kalachakra. Then I will be able to establish all other sentient beings in the state of Shri Kalachakra as well". With this motivation one should take initiation.

The general aim of tantric initiations is that through the initiations the guru ripens the disciple's psycho-physical continuum. Here "ripening" means empowering the disciple to practise the yoga of the generation process and the completion process. In particular, the Kalachakra initiations empower the disciple to practise the yoga of the Kalachakra tantra, and, ultimately, to achieve the state of Shri Kalachakra.

There are eleven Kalachakra initiations: seven initiations of "entering like a child", three "exalted" initiations, and one "most exalted" initiation. Disciples who are temporarily intent on just the worldly siddhis (magical or mystical accomplishments) are given only the seven lower initiations. Those who are mainly interested in the transcendental siddhi of buddhahood are given all eleven initiations. The first of the seven initiations of entering like a child is the water initiation. This is analagous to a mother washing her child immediately after its birth. The second initiation is the crown initiation that is analogous. to the binding of a child's hairlocks. The third, ribbon initiation is analogous to piercing a child's ears and arraying it with ornaments. The fourth initiation, the vajra and bell initiation, is analogous to a child laughing and talking. The fifth initiation is the discipline initiation, it is analogous to the child's enjoyment of the five desirable sense-objects. Sixth is the name initiation, analogous to the naming of the child. The seventh, and final, initiation of entering like a child is the mantra authorization initiation. This initiation empowers the disciple to eliminate obstacles and to achieve the magic powers of pacification, gaining prosperity, subjugation, and destruction.

The three exalted initiations are as follows: the vase initiation is the gnosis of bliss and emptiness that arises from the disciple touching the consort's breasts. The secret initiation is the gnosis of bliss and emptiness that arises from the disciple savouring the bodhichitta, the wisdom-gnosis initiation is the experience of connate joy that arises from the disciple and consort themselves engaging in union.

The most exalted initiation is also called "the fourth initiation" or "the word initiation" The previous great wisdom-gnosis initiation empowers the disciple to achieve the eleventh bodhisattva stage. Then the guru symbolically indicates the Gnosis Body that is the integration of supreme unchanging great bliss and emptiness possessing the best of all aspects. Saying, "This is it", the guru bestows the fourth initiation on the disciple. This initiation empowers the disciple to obtain perfect buddhahood in the form of Shri Kalachakra.

Translated from the Tibetan and edited by John Newman Translator's note: 'or more information on the subjects touched on in this essay the reader is advised to see: Dalai Lama, Kalachakra Tantra Initiation Rites and Practices (London: Wisdom Publications, 1985), and Geshe Lhundup Sopa eral, The Wheel of Time: The Kalachakra in Context (Madison. Wisconsin USA: Deer Park Books, 1985).

Kalachakra Initiations by His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Date/Place/Attendance)

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Congratulates ICAN For Winning The Nobel Peace Prize

Dharamsala, HP, India - In his letter to Ms. Beatrice Fihn, the Executive Director of ICAN, His Holiness congratulated the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which has been awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize for its sustained efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons throughout the world.His Holiness mentioned "In these times of great uncertainty and upheaval in many corners of the world, the work of ICAN is of the utmost urgency. It is therefore most fitting that the Nobel Peace Committee has recognised the endeavours of ICAN."He further added, "I pray that there will be concerted and vigorous efforts to achieve a world without nuclear weapons."
original link: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2017/his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-congratulates-ican-for-winning-the-nobel-peace-prize

Saturday, October 7, 2017

Hello everyone! I hope your having a fabulous Sunday. It's finally fall however, very hot here in Florida. I can't begin to explain how hot. I set the A/C on 72 and it was just way too hot to cool it down that low. It's ridiculous. Every time you go outside you feel the need to shower due to how sweaty and hot one gets just from simply checking the mail.

I'd like to take the time to acknowledge all the families and victims in the Las Vegas shooting. A lot of families are burying loved ones. They need prayer too. And what's up with Florida people ask me...It NEVER use to be like this here up until about 15 years ago. Then slowly bit by bit year by year lead up to this. All the headlines Florida makes....We had the nightclub shooting in Orlando and other things. Lord please have mercy on us all. Anywhere anyone could just snap hearing voices in their head to do things. It's not always true but I believe sometimes it is.

Jesus should be our souls anchor. I can't begin to say how unhealthy just in general it is to be so hateful and bitter over people who have really stabbed you in the back, lied on you, created un necessary stress and drama etc...This is a hard one but forgiveness isn't for that person, it's for you. I struggle with this at times myself but I'm just trying to matter. If that makes sense. Lol For lack of better words I'm just trying to matter. I would get sick with anxiety dealing with un needed stress or drama in my past until I learned who's opinion really mattered. I don't care what mean things people might say. It's their problem. Bullies are so brave online too.

Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me.. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them. (John 14:21, NLT) The bible tells us this. We need to keep a relationship with God even when things are going good.

No matter what God you serve (other than God of the world Satan) you must repent in some way of sins. Just like karma in Buddhism." Karma is a b****" wasn't a saying for nothing. We must admit our faults and go and try and learn from our mistakes. It's the same thing. It's important to stay spiritually clean as possible because this world is evil. We have people swimming in demon and baby's blood for sacrifice to Satan then swim in blood for youth. It's sick I tell you! Makes me so darn mad this is being allowed and our own government is involved.

Bitterness will eat you alive! If you don't forgive others you won't be given mercy when you make mistakes. You will be judged at the same measure you judged your fellow man. It's unhealthy. I struggle with this badly but have come a long way. Like I said before forgiving someone isn't for them it's for you as well. Keep hate out of your heart. Demons thrive off anything that creates sadness or danger to human health. This world is just going to get so much darker. So much more is to come too. In my humble opinion and I've been at this since age 19 on a serious level. I've seen so much trust me. Demons hate our guts.

If it is true that unacknowledged sin separates the soul from God, that the regarding of iniquity in the heart makes our prayer useless, and sacrifices an abomination, that the look of lust and the motion of causeless anger against a brother provoke God's anger, an immediate and humble confession of sin from the heart unto God is both necessary and safe. Unto them who keep silence God gives sorrow. He makes their bodies and bones rot away.

John 1:8 stipulates that if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins daily he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify from all unrighteousness. The sin is forgotten in Gods eyes from I believe. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

The first of all commandments, are all written in the book of Deuteronomy 6; for our purposes, verses 4-9, though the entire chapter- and book - is great reading! If you "love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might", then you will find yourself going where you want to be, namely, "growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ."

Have you ever considered that your unconfessed sin hinders your response to your prayers? The Holy Spirit’s leadership through instruction in righteousness and to a greater call of service unto the Lord? Christian often attend their respective church’s services, the pastor will preach from God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will use the message to bring conviction to the heart of the individual – but how many truly confess their sins in response to the conviction?

So many people will leave their church services just as they came in. David wrote the following words in Psalms 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Solomon went on to write in Proverbs 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy and everlasting life.." I've seen some praise God one min then after church cussing someone out.

I use to work at Piccadilly Cafeteria. It was my first job ever. I was 17. I wanted to work to buy my own girly things. Not many are around. You go down the line and pick out what you want on your plate. Every Sunday we had many different church going customers so we always had extra staff but my point is, they were some of the rudest people. I didn't care (my poor teen attitude) and I said, "Ma'am or Sir with all due respect didn't you just come from church?" I could tell her party was embarrassed and she was pissed with me. Told the manager blah blah. I never did it again but it was so nice to finally call someone out due to the teasing from non believers saying "see how mean they are to us every Sunday coming in?" I finally made my point.

I was only 17 telling them this! A teenager knew better than to treat people like that. Being that my dear late dad was a Pentecostal Minister/Pastor. I just inadvertently picked up a lot of valuable information growing up. My point is don't be a judgemental hypocrite as believers people are watching the behavior. The Bible says "we shall know them by the fruits they bear". Meaning how we act. The example were setting representing God needs to be correct. Remember that to those who claim to be a believer.

As a matter of fact so many people have been hurt by churches and the people but NOT GOD. They associate that with God not the actual person or people who did them wrong. I've seen it time and again. This world is so dark and getting worse. Please know God knows no,color. NO RACE is better than another in his eyes and laws. We need to unite as a country. If we are divided against ourselves this country will never stand a chance.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Recently I was communicating with Laura Maxwell regarding a discussion she had with a man who stated that he was ex-New Ager, but he believed in alternate realities or universes. Numerous insights shared here came from Laura, The idea is that there are allegedly infinite incarnations of each of us in every conceivable situation, in infinite universes. Infinite means infinite, not just a whole lot. What are the ramifications of this belief, and are they compatible with Christianity? Does the bible have any insights on cosmology, and how many universes there are?

First, let’s lay the foundation. The bible/Proverbs says that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of both wisdom and knowledge. Though these two are closely tied together in Proverbs, “knowledge” tends to focus on correct understanding of the world and our place as creatures, while “wisdom” is the acquired skill of applying that knowledge in a way that pleases God. May God enable us to please Him in our pursuit of accurate understanding of the totality of His creation and our place in it.
Again, the idea is that there are infinite realities and some see these universes as bubbles, and each one may have different scientific rules and moral codes.

This notion is common in occult/New Age circles, and is used to express New Age concepts, such as quantum jumping. However, mainstream theoretical physicists and cosmologists are championing this idea on print and on TV frequently. Our concern is that this notion is becoming quite common amongst professing Christians as well. Just as some drugs may act as gate-ways to more serious drugs, so some beliefs are gate-way beliefs which often to lead to a slippery slope down into the darkness of occultic beliefs and practices. And that is my concern about Christians embracing this concept of multiverse.

I need to affirm that of all people, Christians should let their imaginations soar to the stars because we have a solid foundation to distinguish between reality and fantasy. So, anything I say here should not be construed as a squashing of a PROPER use of our imaginations. Positing infinite universes as fact (and not in fiction) is not a proper use of reason, the Word, or imagination.

A new word appeared in cosmology literature—multiverse…instead of universe. Here are my reasons for challenging it:

1. Multivese or infinite universes is a contradiction in terms because the universe is supposed to include everything.

Definition of ‘universe’—all existing matter and space considered as a whole; the cosmos. By definition, the universe contains everything there is. Hence, the notion of infinite universes is infinitely absurd and internally self-contradictory.

You cannot have multiple/infinite everythings. Most physicists and cosmologist are not Christians and have non-biblical presuppositions which guide how they interpret the data/phenomena—and it’s NOT the fear of God. You can look at the same evidence and different presuppositions will lead to radically different conclusions (e.g. cosmic background radiation). Arguments for infinite realities/universes are often circular in nature…assuming the very thing to be proved.

Some scientists appeal to the Anthropic principle, and state that we ‘create’ universes by existing to observe it. However, creating reality through our minds is classic occult belief. We cannot create anything from nothing, much less a universe, which is something only God can do.

We believe in the basic reliability of the sense perceptions because, the same God who made the external world also made our 5 senses to accurately perceive God’s world. There is a correspondence between what we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell and the external world, because God created both. Immanuel Kant dropped a bombshell on modern man with his distinction between noumena (thing in itself) and the phenomena (what we observe), and never the twain shall meet. But the Christian has no such problem!

2. Occam's razor (principle of preferring simpler explanation)would clearly prefer the simplicity of a single universe, which easily and comprehensively explains the phenomena. The notion of infinite universes raises more questions than it answers, and unbelief was the assumption that gave rise to it. It adds infinite complexity and confusion, which is contra Occam’s razor principle.

3. The teaching is that there are infinite variations of all of us. If there are infinite Mark’s, then which one will be judged? The absurdity of it would be humorous if it weren’t so tragic. Hebrews 9:27 states that each person will die once (not infinite times), and will immediately face judgment. Infinite variations of me/you is inconsistent with personal judgment. I have to keep my points brief. J
If everyone has infinite identities, then so should Jesus and Hitler. That is blasphemous and utterly heretical. And there would be universes in which He didn’t die for our sins…again, unthinkable. In fact, there should be a universe in which you/me were Jesus. Or Lucifer is good. It is utterly arbitrary to affirm infinite identities, except balk when it comes to being God’s Messiah. That is special pleading, an informal logical fallacy. That just shows that folks can’t live with the logical extension of this absurd notion.

4. The word ‘universe’ is a combination of two Latin words-uni (one), versus (turned)…or combined into one, whole. The idea is that of unity amidst vast diversity of the cosmos. This is a faint but lovely picture of the unity amidst the diversity of the Trinity. For millennia, philosophers dealt with the ‘one and many’ problem in an attempt to explain reality. (Unfortunately, modern philosophy, for the most part, has given up on such discussions) How can we explain how the unity and diversity that we observe on the macro and micro levels, or the one and many, came to be? Look around and see/feel the unity amidst the diversity in nature! Whether you are looking through a microscope at the complexity of a cell, or a picture from the Hubble Telescope, this phenomenon is staggering! A recent trip to the NC Zoo accented the diversity of animals, and yet they are all animals.Which is more ultimate: unity or diversity?

The pre-Socratic philosophers were consumed with trying to explain the nature of reality, and especially how there can be such unity in nature with all its mind-boggling diversity? Ancient philosophers like Heraclitus and Parmenides came to opposite conclusions. One stated that unity was ultimate and the other that diversity/change was ultimate. There were even the ‘atomists’ who posited atom like particles that explained the unity and diversity! So, which is ultimate?
The biblical answer is that both are equally ultimate, as reflected in the oneness of God, but existing in three Persons. What a fantastic answer we have for modern man who is lost in the darkness of their autonomous reason…and has no basis for true and accurate knowledge of God’s world. “He who trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26)
My point is that the notion of a uni-verse was born out of a Christian worldview in which scientists understood that Jesus is the Logos that coheres all reality together (Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:1-3)), and that the vast diversity of the cosmos reflects the unity amidst the diversity in the Trinity. In other words, the universe was seen as a thing of wonder and mystery which reflected the very character of God Himself. (Romans 1:18ff)

ALL that God created is contained in this one universe in which there is a mind-boggling unity amidst the staggering diversity of God’s universe. The scientific laws we have discovered are really God’s laws which He implanted into the very fabric of reality or the universe. They display the unity and diversity principle as well, whether it is astronomy to zoology. When I walked outside today, taking in the loveliness around me, I saw a jet 30,000 feet up. How wonderful it is that God has created a world in which, through the cultural mandate in Genesis, we can discover His laws in the warp and woof of the universe, and make such fantastic inventions!

However, the notion of a multiverse brings in its wake chaos-which is demonic. The unity/diversity model is lost and chaos reigns, with infinite bubble universes bumping into each other, and there is no cohering principle. The multiverse model is a sign of how far how our culture has drifted from the Triune God into foolish flights of cosmological fancy, which leads to a horror of great darkness because there is no meaning or coherence in this model of infinite universes.

5. Which leads me to my next point. Those who espouse the notion of multiverse have to assert, if they are consistent, that each alleged universe (here the inner self-destructive nature of its language appears)has its own scientific rules and moral codes. Each universe has its own understanding of truth regarding all aspects of life. Focusing on the latter, we see that this notion is at odds with the biblical insistence that Truth is objective and absolute because God’s law is based on His unchanging character. As Laura pointed out, the notion of multiple truths is absurd and is contrary to God’s Word regarding truth being unchanged and unchanging. Infinite truths leads to a horror of great darkness, in which wrong is right, and vice versa.John 17:17 says that God’s Word is not only True, but it is Truth itself (Greek, alathea, noun),and is thus the standard of truth against which everything else must be tested or compared)So, the notion of multiverse has serious problems from which there is no escape.

6. The notion of infinite universes is impossible because only God is infinite—even the universe, though enormous, is not infinite. If there were infinite universes then they would be God because they are infinite, which is an aspect of divinity. Infinite is not a whole lot—not 10 to billionth power comes even close to a speck compared to infinity. Infinity means there is no end….endless numbers of universes. If this does not concern you, then it should because it is an attempt to become like God, through the guise of science. The infinity of God is what theologians refer to as an imcommunicable (non-transferable) attribute of God. Just as God’s omnipotence and omniscience are divine attributes, so is infinity.Our God is too small!!

7. Are we to believe that Satan is a good being, possibly the Messiah, in one of these other infinite universes? God forbid! But it shows the ugliness and absurdity of this view.

8. Anyone familiar with the Judeo-Christian worldview, will instantly realize that the notion of infinite universes is hostile or contrary to their/our worldview. This is especially true when it comes to the biblical teaching regarding the nature of reality. The growth of the occult worldview has opened the door to this heretofore unthinkable model of reality.

9. Let us now look at the biblical data:

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) Bereshith bara Elohim shamayim we ha eres (Hebrew)
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.(Hebrews 11:3)
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things (panta, Greek) were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. (John 1:1-3)
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, (ektisas ta panta, Greek)
and by your will they existed and were created. (Revelation 4:11)
16 For by him all things were created (ekthisthe ta panta, Greek), in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together…. 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.(Colossians 1:16-20)

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.(Romans 8:18-23….bolds added to several texts)

I quoted these texts because they answer most the questions pertinent to this discussion.

Notice that in most texts it is explicitly stated that ALL THINGS (not just one of infinite others) that were created through Jesus, and it’s a clear reference to the universe created in Genesis 1:1.All things means all things-what we call the universe.

Genesis 1:1.is a fundamental presupposition that runs through the entire bible. In this verse we see the creation of matter, and the space-time continuum. This is not a summary verse; it is God’s first act in which the one universe was spoken into existence—the very fabric of space and time. Heaven and earth is an expression meaning ‘everything’ ;seen or unseen. This interpretation is supported by the New Testament (see Hebrews 11:3 and Revelation 4:11) It is the biblical teaching of God creating the entire created world/universe ex nihilo (out of nothing). Contrary to other pagan beliefs, Moses and NT authors tell us that God did not create from pre-existing matter. By His sovereign, all mighty power, God spoke the entire creation into existence. Hebrews 11:3 emphasizes the ‘out of nothing’ aspect of creation.

Genesis 1:1 tells us from the outset that God created the heavens and the earth, which means EVERYTHING. It is an amazing comment about God creating everything he created, and there is no mention of alternate universes. The same is true of the other verses. Note especially John 1:3 where it says that ALL things were created through Him, And to make sure we heard him correctly John adds, that nothing was created that Jesus did not create…NOTHING. John could not have been clearer. It is as if He said—“there is nothing that exists anywhere that I did not create. My creation of the universe includes all that I created.” Does that not exclude alternate universes? Everything that was created, was created by Jesus, and is identical with our universe, both visible and invisible. Only by eisogesis (reading into text ones views) can one extract the notion of multiverse from these anti-multiverse verses.

In Colossians, Jesus not only created everything but He sustains it as well. In John 1:1-3, the Logos/Logic (Jesus, and Greek word can be translated either Word or Logic) created and holds the fabric of creation together. Jesus is the Logic of the universe.

The New heavens and earth in Revelation in 21 and 22 indicate that the space time continuum will be sustained through eternity because heaven will be here on earth and we will have glorified but material bodies, which occupy space and live in time. (2 Corinthians 5; 1 Cor. 15) Eternal life in heaven does not necessarily entail the end of space and time. Why should it? You don’t have to worry about CERN or anyone else changing the basic fabric of God’s creation which He upholds with His omnipotent right arm, and will extend through eternity. Whatever Cern is doing, they can’t mess with God’s basic creational pattern which is eternal in nature. I was going to mention the Mandela Effect but think that is an issue for another day. The alleged bending of time/space is a distinct issue from alternate realties.

In Genesis 3 and Romans 8 (see above) the Fall of Adam effected the entire creation—ALL that God had created. In Romans 8 it states that the universe/all creation ‘groans’ due to the Fall, and longs for Jesus’ return so that it, too, will be liberated from the consequences of Adam’s sin. In v.22 it states explicitly that ‘all creation groans’ due to Adam’s sin. How can this jive with infinite universes because that would mean that ALL CREATION does not mean what it says. In fact, it would seem to mean the opposite, since infinite other universes were allegedly not touched by Adam’s Fall. But the Word of God is explicit that all creation was touched by both the Fall, as well as the cosmic ramifications of the blessed Atonement.

The Fall caused:
1. Man separated from God;
2. Man separated from other men (beginning of violence between humans);
3. Man’s separation from himself (origin of psychological problems);
4. Man's separation from nature (hostility and fear between man and animals),
5. Separation of nature from nature (nature became ‘red in tooth and claw’)

Jesus’ death had cosmic ramifications for the entire creation. (see Col. and Romans) Ephesians 1:14 says, “..A plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and on earth.” Nowhere do we see alternate realities that were not affected by the historical Fall, nor by the scope of Christ’s atonement. The central theme of the drama of redemption is that the work of Christ on the cross is the central axis for the history of God’s entire creation, whether in heaven or on Earth…and He silenced all demonic powers. All of human and comic history revolves around the cross. That is, ALL of God’s creation was affected by the Fall, and has now been (or will be at Christ’s return) experience full liberation. The cosmic nature of Christ’s death is often overlooked. He not only defeated sin, Satan/demons, death, but He secured the redemption of the entire universe.

Instead, this is powerful refutation of infinite universes because we see that Adams Fall affected everything—except heaven. The universe, as we know it, was affected to its outer reaches. You cannot fit infinite universes into this drama of Fall and redemption.

So serious was this sin problem that God gave His all—He couldn’t have given more—and are we to believe that there are infinite me/you that do NOT need salvation? That is both repugnant to the Word and reason. The bible says that Jesus died ONCE for ALL. Any view that diminishes the perfection of the Person and Work of Christ, is a HUGE red flag, and is The Litmus Test for whether a belief is biblical or not.

As Laura reminded me, Hebrews states that Jesus died “once for ALL.” If the other alleged infinite universes are inhabited by intelligent beings, as is stated to be the case, then they either didn’t fall, or if they did, then Jesus would have had to have taken on infinite incarnations (each to be appropriate for the fallen inhabitants…Hebrews 2) and die infinitely. This is monstrous and contrary to Jesus dying “once for all.” Surely the folly of man’s autonomous knowledge of the world is nowhere more evident than here. If God The Father ever has to choose between the singular honor and dignity of His only Son, and our unrestrained imagination, then He will always choose His Son.

10. Contrary to many people’s opinions, the earth IS the center of the universe—not spatially, but in terms of it being the singular focus of God’s affection and love, from all eternity; past present and future (See Ephesians 1). All the mysteries and beauty of the entire cosmos were created for God’s glory and for our pleasure. From Genesis 1 to Revelation 22,, the earth was to be the temple of God, as well as His footstool.

In Genesis 2, after finishing creating of ALL things, God rested and saw the earth as His temple, which is where it will be for all eternity after Second Coming (Revelation 21-22) Again, how can one fit this in with the concept of infinite universes? God will reign here….Immanuel—God with us!

When Satan fell, where was he sent? Earth, and not one of infinite possible dimensions. We see in Job and elsewhere, that Earth is the locus of God’s enemy, and not some alternate universe. This is implicit evidence of this being the only reality or universe. The location of the battle royale of the ages is our planet—not some far off galaxy or alternate universe.

So, unless we want to think that, when God said that He created ALL things, that God meant only our “little bubble” but not the infinite other bubbles, then we need to take God’s Word at face value.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Bereshith bara Elohim shamayim we ha eres. God said it. That settles it. I believe it. Thus, I will not preface my comments with: “In my opinion…”

It is this existing universe, mentioned in Genesis 1 and Revelation 21-22 in which the Triune God will reign on THIS Earth for all eternity, with all of His adopted sons and daughters, through Jesus Christ. How can there be infinite other universes if God has said that the planet we live on will be His dwelling place forever and ever? Can’t we see that this notion could only have arisen in a culture riddled with an occult/Gnostic worldview?

Let us rejoice that, as Isaiah says: “…God created the Earth so that it might be inhabited…”, and that for all eternity we shall reign with God over His redeemed creation.

Monday, October 2, 2017

(Transcript of His Holiness's Public Talk at Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom, May 22, 2008)

Riki Hyde-Chambers (Chairman of Tibet Society): Ladies and gentlemen, it is my very great privilege to introduce you to His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.

Someone in audience: We love you.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Thank you.

Firstly, let me sit more comfortably. Don’t worry, I am not going to meditate in silence. Thank you very much. I am very very happy to be meeting with the public in this hall once more. I think it is the third time, or maybe the second. I don’t remember.

Dear brothers and sisters, I am extremely happy to sit here with you and interact. I will begin by speaking for about 30 or 40 minutes. When I talk, it is not for a precise time; it depends on my mood. If my mood is good I will speak for longer; if my mood is not that good the talk will be shorter. Whenever I give a talk I do not do any preparation or have any notes. I just express what I feel in a completely informal way. Then there will be some questions. That will be helpful to me, because sometimes there are unexpected questions, or points that I had never considered. That helps me to think about the point more seriously; so there is mutual benefit.

To begin, I want to thank the organisers, mainly I think the Tibet Society. I think that it is the oldest such society, formed when we became refugees, to support the Tibet cause. I remember the late Lord Ennals, and other very active members, who made a great contribution to the Tibetan cause. He is no longer with us, but, Riki was here on my first visit in 1973, and since then in his face there has not been much change. He is physically not very big, but he is full of energy and warm feeling. These people carry the original spirit, and make it even stronger. I want to thank the Tibet Society, and our other friends and supporters. Thank you very much. Among the parliamentarians, there are a number of people who show genuine concern. Thank you. I always believe that our supporters are not pro-Tibetan but rather pro-justice. I very much appreciate that.

I also want to thank the Tibetan musicians and dancers. I very much appreciated them. For nearly half a century they have been homeless; the generations change, but our people keep the Tibetan spirit alive. Here in England there are very few Tibetans, but they keep our spirit very much alive. Not only that, but those young children who were born here have received a transfer of the Tibetan spirit from their parents. A transfer from the older generation to the younger generation. That was our original aim. As soon as we became refugees, our main concern was to preserve the rich Tibetan Buddhist culture. In other words, a culture of peace, of compassion. Today, that is something very relevant to this world. Therefore, right from the beginning, our main effort has been to preserve the Tibetan culture. Nowadays our main discussions with the Chinese authorities are about how to protect Tibetan cultural heritage. That is our main concern. This small group here made an effort to preserve our spirit, our cultural heritage. Thank you very much.

Turning to my talk here, I think that most of you know that I have two main concerns. No. 1—now because of this light this is necessary [dons peaked cap]. This is not the red hat sect, the yellow hat sect or the blue hat sect. It is something very practical. My main interest, my main commitment on a voluntary basis, is to two things: No. 1, the promotion of human value and No. 2 the promotion of religious harmony. I am committed to those two things until my death. The third commitment is regarding Tibetan problem/struggle. It is not necessarily a voluntary commitment, because of historical facts. The most important thing is that the Tibetan people both inside and outside of Tibet trust me very much and pin a lot of hope on me, and so I have the moral responsibility to serve them as well as I can. Of course, my ability, knowledge and experience in various fields are very limited, but it is my moral responsibility to serve them in whatever way I can. But there will be a time limit. I am already in something like a semi-retired position, as we have had an elected political leadership since 2001. So, my position is something like that of senior adviser. In most cases, the political leadership listens to my view, but sometimes it doesn’t. That is good. Also, on my part, I have some reservations about some of his policy, but I always remain quiet. So, we are sincerely practising democracy.

In response to an invitation to visit, I generally talk about two things: the promotion of human value and the promotion of religious harmony. But my recent visits to America, Germany and now here, have become much more politicised because of the recent events in Tibet. Okay. So the theme of my talk here is universal responsibility in the modern world. Since my first visit to Europe in 1973, I carry this message of universal responsibility, of a sense of global responsibility. Since I went to India in 1959, I have had the opportunity to meet a variety of people—and my broken English is quite helpful for listening to the BBC World Service—and it seems to me that we are facing many, essentially man-made, problems. Of course, natural disasters are something different, but a major portion of our problems are essentially of our own creation. At the same time, nobody wants problems. There are a few thousand people in this hall, and I think that when you get up in the early, or late, morning, none of you hopes that you have more problems, more trouble that day. Nobody feels that. From early morning, as soon as I wake up, I think, hope or wish that it will be a pleasant day. A joyful day with no problems. That is human nature. Essentially, most troublemakers are not intentionally so, but their approach has become unrealistic and that causes unexpected problems. An unrealistic approach does not happen intentionally either, but comes about because of a lack of a holistic, comprehensive perspective, and in many cases short-sightedness. So, ultimately, that is a lack of a sense of global responsibility, which divides us into “us” and “them” and makes us feel that our interests are independent from others’. We consider our own interests as the most important ones and disregard others’ interests. So that creates a problem. In reality our interests and others’ interests are very much interconnected; we are part of the six billion human beings. Therefore, if six billion human beings are happy, one individual is bound to be happy. If six billion get trouble, you cannot escape. That is the reality. According to that reality, our centuries-old concept that “us” and “them” are independent is, I think, outdated. Now, particularly in these modern times, with the economic conditions, the environmental issues and the sheer size of the population, everything is interdependent. So, in those circumstances, a Buddhist concept is that you should consider all sentient beings as the mother sentient being, to whom you should develop the same sense of closeness as to your own mother. So, according to theological religion, all creation is created by God. So, we human beings, other sentient beings and the whole world were created by God. A Muslim friend told me that a true Muslim should love the whole of creation as much as they love God. So different words, a different approach, but the same meaning. Therefore, there is the idea that there is a sense of global responsibility, that we should develop a sense of concern for the whole of humanity, the whole world. That eventually develops. For more than 30 years that has been my concept, and it is still relevant. More and more people seem to agree with it.

So, how do you develop a sense of global responsibility? It is very much related to commitment to the promotion of religious harmony and human value. Firstly, I will touch on the promotion of human value.

What is human value? Money? Oh, yes. That is very important. In Tibetan we say Kunga Dhondup. That is a nickname for money, which literally means, “That which makes everybody happy and can accomplish everything”. That is true, without money you cannot do things. Money is important. Sometimes I make a joke to Buddhist audiences, particularly Tibetan: we usually recite a special sort of Tibetan mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum”. Some of you know that, I think. We recite that, sometimes hurriedly, so it becomes: “Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padma Hum, Om Mani Padma Hum”, then it become “OmMani, OmMani, Mani, Mani, Mani” [spoken more and more quickly]. It sounds very much like, “money money money money”. Maybe, “dollar money dollar money”, or “pound money pound money”. So, money has value, and all these external facilities are valuable. Good. But they all provide physical not mental comfort. If you have plenty of money, you have some sort of satisfaction in your mental life: “Ah, I have a lot of money.” That is an illusion, because we notice that a billionaire has plenty of money but is a very unhappy person. We notice that. They have a lot of worry, anxiety, suspicion and jealousy. Money fails to bring them inner peace. More money brings more suspicion, discomfort and worry. To truly believe that if you have money everything can be sorted out, that you will get 100 per cent satisfaction, is an illusion. But, of course, you must be the judge of that, because I never say that the points that I make are 100 per cent correct. Please investigate for yourselves. I myself am trained in such a way that I am always investigating.

The Tibetan Buddhist tradition is actually the Nalanda tradition. Nalanda is, I think we can say, the oldest university, because it is more than 2,000 years old. It is not just a monastery, but a learning centre. The Tibetan Buddhist tradition was established by a great Indian philosopher, a logician, from that university. His name was Shantarakshita. In the 8th century he was invited to Tibet by the Tibetan emperor. He was aged 900, according to the Tibetan age system; according to an Indian friend he was around 75 years old. That friend teases that Tibetans add an extra zero, so that 90 became 900. Shantarakshita—his name sounds good, in Tibetan Shiwa Tso—was the person who established Buddhism in Tibet, with the help of the Tibetan emperor. Since he was a great scholar and logician, he was never satisfied. He said, “always investigate, always argue, always reason.” So that was his style. He introduced the Buddhist tradition in that way. Up to now, the major Tibetan Buddhist institution has always carried study in such a manner: investigation, investigation. I myself am also trained in investigation and experiment, and so I want to share with you, even regarding my own talks: “Please carry on investigating.” Do not just accept my word.

Real inner peace and inner satisfaction ultimately depends on our mental attitude. What kind of mental attitude? Firstly, we are social animals, so there must be an emotional factor that brings us together as a social group. There is also a biological factor. We are born from our mother’s womb, and at that moment are just like animals, tiny infants. Our survival totally depends on someone else’s care, usually our mother’s. If your mother abandons you for just one, two or three days, I think that you will die. Our survival totally depends on others’ care. Furthermore, the physical body survives with the nutrition of the mother’s milk. The survival of the youngsters of not only human beings, but of cats, dogs and even birds, entirely depends on others’ care. That is a fact. So, there must be an emotional factor that has developed that kind of determination on the part of the mother: the mother’s affection. That affection brings with it the determination of a mother to sacrifice her own comfort, or even her life, in order to protect and care.

Recently I was on an overnight flight, from I think Japan to America or from America to Europe. In the front seat there was a couple with two children. One was perhaps six or seven years old, and the other one year old. The younger one did not sleep the whole night; he was walking here and there and shouting. On one occasion, I offered him a sweet from my pocket. He took it and then carried on walking. At the beginning, the father was taking so much care of him, but after around midnight he suddenly lay down on the chair. Then the mother took care of the child through the whole night. The mother’s eyes became red due, I think, to lack of sleep. So that reaffirmed for me, that the mother is so, so kind. That kind of attitude does not come from religious teaching, but from nature. It is mainly a biological factor. That affection is ultimately the basis of our life.

There has been some scientific research. On one occasion, a scientist made a presentation about young monkeys, some of whom were with their mothers and some of whom were separated from their mothers. The monkeys who were with their mothers were always playful and very rarely fought. The monkeys who were separated from their mothers were always in a bad mood and often quarreled. We are the same. Therefore, a happy, peaceful life is ultimately very much related to affection. On another occasion, a medical scientist at a conference talked about how guinea pigs, or mice, licking each other had a very positive effect on the healing of wounds. That also indicates that affection has an effect on our physical selves and on our mental comfort. Therefore, we can say that human affection is the basic human value. From the time of birth until death, affection, or human compassion, plays a very important role.

Now immense crises have developed, compassion really makes a difference. My own case is the recent developments, since 10 March. On the afternoon of 10 March I received news from Lhasa that some Tibetans were now demonstrating. As soon as I heard that, I had the same experience as on 10 March 1959: a lot of anxiety and also fear. At the intelligence level, there was a lot of anxiety, fear, doubt and uncertainty. But underneath, on a more emotional level, it seemed quite okay. Usually I sleep for at least eight or nine hours. What do you think, is that too much? Fortunately, in spite of a lot of disturbances at the intelligence level, my sleep is never disturbed. So, underneath, there seems to be some calmness. The main factor is my training, and daily meditation. One particular sort of meditation is “take and give”, give and take”—the Tibetan word is Tonglen. I usually meditate on that, on altruism. Of course, my day starts at 3.30am every morning, when I do at least four hours’ meditation, mainly analytical meditation. One part of my meditation is to visualise those individuals who take decisions, and develop altruism. It is very important to make a distinction between the action and the person. As far as action is concerned, we have to oppose, to make a response. But the person who carried out the wrongdoing really deserves our compassion, our concern. It was their wrongdoing, so from the Buddhist viewpoint, from the non-theistic religious viewpoint according to the law of causality, they have to face the consequences. So there is more reason to feel concern about that troublemaker than about their victims. Visualise those things and then take their anger, hatred and suspicion and give them compassion, a spirit of forgiveness and patience. That kind of meditation practice looks silly because it is just imagination. Yes, it has no actual effect. But the practitioner’s emotional level gets immense benefit from it. That is my experience, but it is nothing special.

In the past I have also told the story of a Tibetan monk I knew well before 1959, who spent 18 years in a Chinese gulag. In the early 80s, the Chinese Government adopted a new policy allowing Tibetans to go to India, and allowing Tibetans outside of Tibet to go “home”, to their villages. So this monk then joined Dharamsala. So since we knew each other very well, one day we chatted. He told me that during 18 years in the Chinese gulag he had faced danger on a few occasions. I thought that maybe he meant that his life had been in danger. I asked him, “What kind of danger?” His answer was, “Danger of losing compassion towards the Chinese.” That is the kind of attitude I am talking about. A practitioner has a certain kind of inner peace through that practice, and this is an example.

In order to keep inner peace, compassion really makes a difference. That is very important. When I talk about compassion, I think it is worthwhile to be more precise. One kind of compassion is essentially low level and has a biological factor, it is low-level compassion mixed with attachment. That limited compassion, as a seed, can be strengthened with the help of reasoning and become a higher level of unlimited, unbiased compassion. We need that. To give an example, as I mentioned before, for my own happy and successful future as a social animal, as one of the six billion human beings, I have to take care of the other human beings, because my future depends on them, doesn’t it? If I create more enemies I will suffer. If I create more friends I will benefit. How do we create friends? Only through money? No. Money can bring friends, but they are essentially friends of money, not of you yourself. When your fortune grows and you become richer, richer, richer, you will find more friends. When your fortune goes, those friends will also disappear. Even if you phone them they may not answer. Those friends are not genuinely your friends, but friends of your money. Therefore, real friends come only out of a sense of concern or respect. Respect them. Develop a genuine sense of concern, of compassion, as even animals do. My main point is that a seed of happiness, of inner calmness, of inner strength, creates more inner strength, more self-confidence and less fear. That automatically causes some kind of close feeling towards other human beings to develop. A compassionate attitude opens our inner door, and as a result it is much easier to communicate with others. If there is too much self-centred attitude, then fear, doubt and suspicion come and as a result our inner door closes. Then it is very difficult to communicate with others.

There was a doctor at a conference in America who presented the data from an experiment he had done. He said that individuals who often use the words, “me’, “my” and “I”, are at a greater risk of a heart attack. Why was that? He didn’t explain. But I thought, “Ah, that could be true”, because a self-centred person is someone who cherishes him or herself, and only him or herself, and that feeling is reflected in their use of the word, “I”. There is nothing wrong with that word, but the attitude behind it is thinking of just oneself. If you think only of yourself, even a tiny problem appears unbearable. If you think more about others’ wellbeing—“others” is infinite—your mind opens wider and your own problem appears insignificant. The same problem, the same tragedy can appear very different. From one angle, you can see something as very bad; from another angle you can see it and say, “Oh, that’s okay.” That often happens, and therefore a compassionate attitude really widens your mind. One small problem is not very serious. That makes a difference to our inner peace. That is the way to promote human value, which is the basis of our inner peace. That is a very important factor for a happy life, including a healthy body.

A scientist told me that anger, hatred and fear are actually eating our immune system. Compassion strengthens our immune system. Therefore, from the point of view of physical health, and mental health—because of peace of mind—warm-heartedness is a key factor. That, as I mentioned earlier, does not necessarily come from religious faith, but from nature. Therefore I usually call it “secular ethics”. That is very very important for peace. Genuine, lasting world peace must be through inner peace. I sometimes call that “inner disarmament”. Through anger and hatred, genuine peace is very difficult. Even at the family level, if you are full of hatred and suspicion, how can you develop genuine peace in that family? Compassion brings real peace.

At the global level, we need external disarmament for genuine world peace. If there is first inner disarmament, there is a real possibility to achieve external disarmament, step by step. I usually talk about “my century”—the older generation, of more or less my age, 60 or 70, belongs to the 20th century. Our century, whether we like it or not, has become the century of bloodshed, war and violence. Our generation will now let the younger generation solve the problems that it started. Our younger generation, which belongs to this century, the 21st century, will hopefully have a peaceful century. Peace does not mean no more conflict among humanity. Conflict is bound to happen, so in order to keep peace in spite of conflict, the only realistic method is the spirit of dialogue, respecting the other side and understanding their viewpoint. We need to try to solve problems in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood, in a spirit of reconciliation and compromise. I often share this with people: let us now try to make this century a century of dialogue. Then there will be a real possibility of peace.

So, that was about the promotion of human value. Now I will talk about the promotion of religious harmony. If you have a sense of global responsibility, all human beings, including non-believers and even those who criticise religion, who are anti-religion, are your brothers and sisters. Once we develop that, there is no problem with people having different religious faith. That is their right. If you look closely, all major religious traditions, as I mentioned briefly before, carry the same message of love, compassion and forgiveness. A different approach is necessary because of different locations, different times and different climates. People’s mentality is a little different. Therefore a different approach is necessary to promote these human values. All major religious traditions carry the message of love, and a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. So, it is a matter of a different approach. Some say that there is God, that God made all these things and that we are therefore brothers and sisters in a true sense. Some say it is the law of causality. Again, good experience comes from love and respect for others. Bad experience comes from harming others. That brings negative consequences. It is the same end but with a different approach. Therefore, if you understanding these things, you will see that there is no obstacle to bringing genuine harmony among religious traditions. It may be useful here to make a distinction between faith and respect. Faith is towards one’s own religion, respect is to all religions. That is one thing. Another thing is the concept of one religion, one truth and the concept of several truths, several religions. Those two things appear contradictory, but that is due to the different context. On an individual basis, the concept of one truth, one religion is very relevant in developing a single-pointed faith, but in terms of a group of people, the concept of several truths, several religions is relevant. That is a fact. That is reality. Therefore there is no contradiction between the concept of one truth, one religion and the concept of several truths, several religions. That is my way of promoting religious harmony. Full stop. Now the Questions and Answers.

Norman Baker MP: Your Holiness, thank you very much for a wonderfully warm and compassionate speech. You had the audience rapt, listening to every word here at the Royal Albert Hall. We are all delighted that you are in London, and to hear your address this afternoon. You are a beacon of hope and inspiration, not just to Tibetans but to many millions around the world. Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am Norman Baker MP, president of the Tibet Society. It is my tremendous privilege to conduct this question and answer session, which I am afraid necessarily will be a little truncated, because His Holiness has a very important engagement shortly after this engagement here. So straight on to the questions, if I may.

The first question is: “What are your opinions on the earthquake crisis in China?”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: I was very sad and very shocked, particularly when I saw the picture of the young student who perished under the rubble of the collapsed school. I immediately felt, “Oh, due to the one-child policy, many of the parents of these students have only one child.” One mother, one child. How much pain do those mothers, those parents feel? Their only child. That is very sad. But one really encouraging thing was the worldwide response, similar to when the tsunami happened. With the Burmese case also, although the military junta’s handling of the situation is very poor, I think that the response has been wonderful. The Chinese case is also very encouraging, including the response from those Tibetans who have recently suffered very much. For example, the monks in the Drepung monastery near Lhasa have suffered a lot recently. A lot of monks were arrested or missing, but, after the earthquake, monks from that monastery also raised funds for the victims. Another encouraging sign is the transparent way the Chinese Government has handled that problem. That is very, very encouraging. So, hopefully now there will be more transparency over a wider field.

Norman Baker: Thank you. The second question is rather different: “What makes you laugh?”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: In one word, Love; in another, I immediately laugh at others’ little mistakes. Once in London, we visited a place, I can’t remember where, where a young Tibetan was performing a dance or something like that. The child was wearing very big shoes, and as soon as I saw those big shoes I laughed and laughed. Sometimes people are too serious. Once in Mexico City at an interfaith service, there were a few representatives of different traditions, including a representative of Japanese Buddhism. As usual, he was quite stern—or very dignified—and as usual he did the rosary like this. Then somehow the string broke, and the beads scattered all over. But he still remained like that. I laughed a lot at that.

Norman Baker: The third question is: “What can we in the United Kingdom do to help in the struggle to keep Tibet and its wonderful traditions alive?”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Thank you for your concern. Our main aim, as everybody knows, is not to seek separation, because our interests remain within the Peoples’ Republic of China. We get much benefit from that, as far as material development is concerned, provided that we have meaningful autonomy, with the safeguard of preserving our culture. There is no time to explain in detail now, but recently the Chinese Government seems to be paying more attention to the Tibetan problem. Also, I think that the clear worldwide signal of concern definitely impacts on the leaders of the Chinese Government. So, please continue to express your solidarity and concern. It is really helpful. I particularly appreciate the sincere concern of the parliamentarians and their desire to help. That is really very helpful. Please continue. And then, wherever you find an opportunity to talk with Chinese brothers and sisters, then talk. Educate them, because some of the Chinese do not have the full information about the reality. Sometimes there is a feeling that there we Tibetans are anti-Chinese, but they are absolutely not. So it is important to educate them.

Norman Baker: Sadly, I have been told that I am only allowed one more question. I am very sorry about that. “Would you like to be reborn in London?”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: What do you mean by “reborn”?

Norman Baker: Reincarnated.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Yes, that’s possible. Since my childhood, we have described Englishmen as “big noses”. So my next reincarnation could be as a big nose! That is theoretically speaking. It is important that there is some usefulness. As I always pray, as long as sentient beings’ pain and suffering remains, I will remain in order to serve them. That is my favourite sort of prayer. I try to develop that kind of determination. So naturally, my next life will be wherever it would have some usefulness. That is for sure. So, if there is more usefulness here, then naturally I will be reborn here.

Norman Baker: We would love to have you here if you do that. Ladies and gentlemen, I was asked by the BBC this week, “Why Tibet?” It is not simply the wonderful culture and history of the country, nor the terrible human rights abuses that have occurred, nor the inspirational leadership of His Holiness. It is also because the Tibetan cause is our cause, a struggle for every person’s right to be free, to say what they want to say, without being subject to arrest, imprisonment or torture. It is a right to be able to demonstrate peacefully for causes in which they believe. It is the ability to follow one’s religion and culture, without being intimidated by the state or by others. Those are not simply Tibetan causes; they belong to us all. In your programme, you will have seen some of the action points that some of us are pursuing in parliament, and which the Tibet Society is pursuing as well. Please take a moment to look at those, and see if you can help in some way. If you are not a member of the Tibet Society, please do join us and help us in our campaign for justice so that we can await the day, not too far away I hope, when Tibet will once again be free, and we can meet in Lhasa.

Lastly, I want to tell you of an initiative, which I hope, Your Holiness, you will agree with. It is called is “Give Peace a Hand”. In a moment you will, I very much hope, shake my hand, and there are two Tibetan children outside who I will pass that handshake on to. There are also 2,000 people between here and the Chinese Embassy, and that handshake of peace will go from here to the Chinese Embassy. I hope very much that that will be a message of peace and reconciliation, and a constructive end to this very useful and wonderful occasion this afternoon. Thank you very much for coming.